r2i forum

vs16;674332My family (wife + 1 daughter) r2i'ed two years ago. They are comfortably settled and like it over there. My daughter is in 9th grade now, moving into 10th grade in June. I am planning to quit by job here in US and planning to join them latest by Aug-2018.

I am 46 years old and have been a single earner throughout. I have about INR 1.7Cr in savings, $330K in 401K, paid off 3BDR flat in Chennai (worth ~INR 2.0-2.2 Cr), INR 55L in real estate plots.

I am currently in a senior director level position in US. My company is totally US based and does not have any presence in India. So I have to find a new job in India. I started off in technical roles, but grew into the IT leadership ladder. I am still a technologist at heart and would prefer to get back to technical track, but my last several years have been predominantly in leadership/delivery management.

I have not been keenly searching for jobs in India, as I am longing to take a break for a few months to a year and and then get back to work. I am also considering if I should start a business on my own. Main motivation here is not get back into the corporate grind again, especially as it would be more stressful in India.

But, I am really worried about the uncertainty of taking a break or considering a business with my current financial situation.

My questions:
1) Would you consider my financial situation anywhere close to retirement at all? Though I wish it would be great not having to work any longer for money, I know that I am not close to that goal. I am looking for your feedback on this.
2) Can I afford to take a break? I can use the time to spend time with my family, pursue interests, recharge myself, re-skill as needed.
3) Should I consider venturing into business. I do not have a business idea yet, but confident that if I put my mind into it and work hard at it, I could achieve something. But again uncertainty is killing me.
4) If I should rather look for a job, what kind of jobs/roles should I be looking for with my 20+ experience in techno/domain/management ?

I would really appreciate your valuable feedback/comments/advice on my situation.

Thank you!

sureshr30;6743471. Unfortunately not. You will have to push on at least until 55 years on US salary to get into a more comfortable retirement scenario.
2. I don't think so. At your age taking a break and getting back into the workforce with a new employer will be challenging to say the least.
3. A big No. I don't think you have the funds to take a chance with business. Maybe in addition to full time work will give you risk coverage incase if issues in running the business.
4. Ideally you should stay on in your US job since you are maybe 10 years away from retirement. Also will your daughter go to US for higher studies? I feel that you timing is a bit off - you could have tried this say 5 years ago.

In the end it all depends on your comfort level and sacrifices you are willing to make in your lifestyle. You are in a greater dilemma nw as your wife and daughter seem to have settled well in India and now you are going to have to make some compromise in your career, I think. Good luck!

Dwija123;674338OP : Depends on how determined are you to start your business.

Finances : You have enough assets so that with good planning you can take 6 months to a year break without falling behind the curve. Unfortunately you will not be anywhere near "building business" in "few months to a year break". A more realistic plan will be at least 3 -4 years. Not doubting your capabilities just letting you know from what I see. Fortunately most of the other (so called) entrepreneurs you will meet will be what Paul Graham calls "Ramen Profitable" or equivalent would be Maggi Profitable. Which is basically enough to survive. do read this essay http://www.paulgraham.com/die.html

Age Factor : (Bangalore experience not Chennai) A lot of startup folks you will meet will be quite young (and by that I mean folks in early and mid 20's). You will have to over come a lot of inhibitions talking to them. Most of them will be technically very smart but actually quite clueless. They will be quite receptive to you because of your experience but expect lots of argument where you will feel all the time that they are not getting it. You will initially think that they are arrogant jerks but slowly you will be able to build rapport and loyalty where they will be able to understand the value you bring. Always remember respect is a two way street.

Training Institute : Don't think that while you bring up product you will be able to generate cash by offering training as that market is saturated. Everyone here is an expert :) on Neural Networking, Block Chain, Big Data, AR / VR Blah Blah Blah. Also Buzz words will not help you at all in the market the way they can in Corporate World. A simple app which offers real value is much better than big fancy cutting edge application which market doesn't need.

Freelancing / Open Source : The little money ( if any) you will be able to get by side projects is not worth the time and effort required for it. It will completely derail you from building your main product.

Service based product : Don't try to build a product with the intention of entering service market. Even excluding big Companies like TCS, there are lot of small and medium service providers and too much of politics in that area. ( Unless you already have connections and they can give you a jump start but I wouldn't really rely on connections)

Now some positives.
1. Excitement : You will actually feel like working and coding the way you did in 20's. There will be time when you will forget lunch / dinner simply because you were too absorbed working. For me that's the biggest benefit of all.

2. No need for approvals, bureaucracy, complete control of what you do. You will work much harder without the rewards but still feel good about it.

As tlv said if you are not fan of uncertainty, don't do it. Know that it may take 3-4 years and you will be working much harder than you do now and still may end up without anything to show for it. But if you defy all warnings and logic and go for it you will not regret a moment of it. Ironical I know... :)